Zacuto Films Announces a New Addition to Their Webisodic Programming Schedule with [ critics ]

Posted Aug 19, 2009

Premiering August 17th, Zacuto Films presents a new webisodic series which brings together film/video veterans, Steve Weiss, Director of FilmFellas/critics, and Philip Bloom, a London based Cinematographer and Filmmaker. With the growing popularity of video content sharing forums and video-centric social networking sites such as Vimeo, the program is the first webisodic show which critiques exclusively—web based video content.

With an open review forum and a loosely base video selection process, Bloom and Weiss keep their reflective commentary fresh by randomly selecting the videos during the show's taping by clicking on featured selections on a touch screen monitor. “We sort of toss all of the selected programs into a Vimeo album,” Steve Weiss says, “and then kind of randomly pick them live. You'll see...it's not a real science.”

In [ critics ], Weiss and Bloom candidly explore a wide range of video categories across many genres and artistic levels: short films, artistic videos, documentaries, music videos, animated shorts, and commercial video. “We’ll review anything,” says Bloom “and give the best advice we can.” As the web constantly evolves by offering a plethora of video content, such as; amateur DIY videos, guerilla street films, political or statement pieces, and short films & features, [ critics ] also mirrors the eclectic nature of open web content. Thus, Weiss and Bloom explore amateur videos, such as “GAY=SIN” by Matthew Bennett and then quickly jump over to acclaimed short films like “A Thousand Words” by Director Ted Chung. The beauty of it—everyone gets the same chance at selection and critique.

The international appeal of [ critics ] comes from the dynamic relationship of Weiss vs. Bloom, where these dueling hosts, who while living across the pond from one another, remain industry friends, avidly support the independent film industry, and bring over 40-years combined experience to the biz. “Watching stuff on your computer can be quite a solitary experience,” says Bloom, “with critics, it's like we are watching it with you and hopefully not coming across like the two old men Statler and Waldorf from The Muppet Show. You know how much we are enjoying something when both Steve and I shut up!”

ABOUT STEVE WEISSWith over 500 productions under his belt, Steve Weiss has been in almost every aspect of the film/video business. With his start videotaping weddings in 1981 to running 1st Generation Film/Video as its Director from 1983 to 1993 and then selling it . Steve has also created and sold one of the first buyout music libraries in 1993 as well. From 1993 to 2000 Steve was the VP of production and director in another production company and did hundreds of productions there. Taking a hiatus from production Steve along with his long time DP, Jens Bogehegn, started Zacuto rentals in 2000 and the Zacuto USA product line in 2004. Weiss is also the director of FilmFellas & critics his two webisodic series, and has a completely narrative web series for the tween market in pre-production call R&J. Weiss believes the key to monetizing content on the web is attaching it to a product line, and he has not been shy about telling his views in video after video. Weiss has awards from these film festivals: Bronze Star Houston International film festival, AFVA Red Ribbon, 2 Chicago Film Festival International winners, 1 Chicago Film Festival International Certificate, NY Film Festival winner, 1st & 2nd prize beverage and food dynamics, 5 sliver & 4 bronze Tellys, Silver Triangle Award, Black Diamond Award for product design.

ABOUT PHILIP BLOOMPhilip Bloom was literally born with a camera in his hand. He didn't cry when he popped out of his mum he said “ACTION” with a Super 8mm camera in his hand. Ever since then he has been a film obsessive and it was only natural that in his career, being behind a camera was where he would end up. He was a news cameraman for many years traveling the world covering everything from wars to premieres. In more recent years he has worked on many TV series for broadcasters all over including Discovery HD, Channel 4, ITV, Sky and many more. He has also made numerous commercials and short films. Philip writes a very popular blog where he shares his camera and kit fetish with a global audience of similarly obsessed people. His friends no longer invite him to any social events as he always brings his camera, films them and sticks them up on the internet. He is currently receiving counseling so he can walk out of his front door without a camera. So far it isn't working!

ABOUT ZACUTO FILMSWanting to come full circle and get back to their roots of creating original content, In December 2008, film/video veterans Steve Weiss and Jens Bogehegn created their first Webisodic Series: FilmFellas which offers viewers a behind the scenes peek into the minds of influential and emerging filmmakers…where talking film is the family business. In August 2009, Steve Weiss, Director of FilmFellas/critics, and Philip Bloom, a London based Cinematographer, come together as dueling co-hosts to candidly critique web based video content. [ critics ] offering an eclectic mix of personalities, perspectives and laughter. For a complete schedule of Zacuto Films Programming, visit Zacuto.com.